Our Liberty In Christ by Philip Mauro

brings forth into bondage, and is represented by Hagar. We read further that Hagar answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. The truth of this part of the Scripture stands vividly before our eyes as we contemplate the sad condition of unbelieving Israel at the present time. For theirs is truly a state of “bondage” to dense spiritual darkness. Thus they are, all unconsciously to themselves, a witness to all men of the truth of the pro­phetic Scripture. Those among them who attempt to maintain their ancient religion have only the corpse of Judaism.

They have to content themselves with pitiful make shifts in lieu of the sacrifices and ceremonies pre­scribed for them by the law of Moses. For the essence of Judaism is the Altar; and the appointed place of the altar and of all Jewish ceremonial, is Jerusalem. But temple, altar, sacrifice, priesthood, and holy days—all have been swept away. Nevertheless, the rags of the ancient ritual remain in the observance, after a fashion.’of “days, and months, and times, and years”; and not only so, but even those from among the Gentiles who profess Christ manifest a desire for these “weak and beggarly elements,” being more than willing to be brought again into bondage thereto.

Although no mention is made in our passage of the other mountain, there is mention of the other city—Jeru­salem, which is above; and from that and other indica­tions we have no difficulty in connecting the everlasting covenant with Mount Zion. In fact, the Epistle to the Hebrews, wherein the truth concerning the two covenants is unfolded at length, contains this plain statement: “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched (Mount Sinai), and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of the trumpet, and the voice of words * * But ye arc come unto Mount Zion, and unto the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusa­lem” (Heb. 12: 17, 24).

This passage tells us quite clearly what system of things we have not come to, and what we have come to. The two systems referred to, with their various features, were both appointed by God Himself. One was appointed for the dispensation of law; the other for the dispensation of grace. Though both were from God, His Word distin­guishes sharply between them. Hence it causes confu­sion to bring over things which pertained exclusively to Mount Sinai, and connect them with Mount Zion.

There is a designed and manifest correspondence between the earthly Jerusalem and the heavenly Jerusalem. But they belong to different worlds. Our spiritual citizenship, which involves our allegiance and all